Princess Gwladys was the eldest -
and best attested - daughter of the saintly Irish immigrant, King
Brychan of Brycheiniog (Wales). With her countless brothers and
sisters, she was raised at the Royal & Christian Court at Garthmadrun
(Talgarth), where she grew into a beautiful young woman. Before long she
came to the notice of some of the most eligible bachelors around,
particularly Brycheiniog's menacing neighbour, King Gwynllyw
Farfog(the Bearded) of Gwynllwg.

Gwynllyw sent envoys to King Brychan
requesting the hand of his daughter in marriage, but the holy man sent
them away. Gwynllyw was a rough pagan warrior king, quite unsuitable for
his delicate offspring. The King of Gwynllwg, however, was not so easily
put off and decided he would take his prize by force. With three hundred
men to help him, he made a daring raid on Brycheiniog and made off with
Princess Gwladys. Brychan pursued him as far as Fochriw where the two were
accosted by their High-King, Arthur.
Struck by the lady's beauty, Arthur was, at first, tempted to take her for
himself; but his fellows persuaded him to support Gwynllyw's cause and
Brychan was eventually brought round.

Gwladys reigned with her husband as
a pious and wise monarch, tempering his, often rash, behaviour. They
became the parents of SS. Cadog, Eigion,
Cyfyw, Maches & Glywys.
Cadog - if not all the children - was raised as a Christian by St. Tathyw
at Caerwent, probably at his mother's insistence, and later converted his
father to Christianity. In her last years, Queen Gwladys lived apart
from her husband as a hermit in
Pencarnau and, latterly, at the Capel Wladus in Gelligaer. Here, she was
buried and a Celtic cross slab found there is thought to be her memorial.
It can now be seen in Gelligaer parish church. Since her death, she has
been revered as a Saint. Her feast day is the same as her husband, 29th
March.